From childhood it has been my nature to find that double rainbowin even the worst adversity I've experienced throughout my life, and like so many of you I've had my share. As an adult I am now well conditioned to find it immediately -- as I've learned that to do so I'm able to overcome a setback much quicker, press forward -- come what may. (Of note, this usually accompanies a very fast turn to Christ as part of the process.) But on occasion, life's disappointments refuse to allow such expediency and we are compelled to pause briefly -- rest on why that is -- and find the possible lessons to be learned, seemingly necessary.So, today I want to pause from my normal, upbeat blogging style to acknowledge what I've been observing throughout my Mormon community since Mitt Romney's bid to become the first President of the United States failed: post election depression.

Like many of you hoping to celebrate the 2012 election results, I was ready to enthusiastically write that historic victory post, not only here, but also on the Washington Post:

Mitt Romney First Mormon President of the United States!

But alas, what many Mormons have been anticipating, praying for and some going so far as to fast for -- some believing it God's will -- were literally left devastated at the final election results! I know this because I've read what you think and heard what many of you are saying. And let me be quite honest here -- I've been somewhat taken back at the public displays of both anger and disappointment displayed by many members through the use of social media and on social networks -- causing me to wonder how future scripture would describe us as a people and what lessons our behaviors would teach future generations.

But please know, I'm not here to judge anyone -- I'm sincerely concerned by such outcry. Strange enough, I read an article a few days before the election suggesting that either way, a Romney win or defeat, Mormons would not have much of a reaction . Boy did that lady have us wrong! I knew how excited we would all be if it were to have been a victory, but truly I had no idea the level of sadness and/or anger that I would witness by members I personally know and associate with. And this observation is not mine alone. I've receive a few emails from other members expressing this same concern -- which has ultimately driven this post.

I can't really say why, for sure, that my own immediate response turned to finding the positive for Mormonism, in general -- of which I wrote election night and posted here, and then turned to give my response, as promised, whatever that was to be, to the Washington Post's On Faith Blog -- but somehow I was blessed to be given a view that enabled me to find a triple rainbow -- right away!

How grateful I am for that immediate blessing. Little did I know but that our little band of latter-day saints would collectively be so saddened by these election results. Let me just say, because I know if I don't I will be called out: but I do realize that for many of you it had little or nothing to do with the fact that Mitt Romney is a Mormon -- as I stand in that place -- but for many it was. And that's okay.

I'm not really sure why such extreme responses by so many members. I do realize that many believe this country is heading into some very dark days, and that by having Mitt Romney, a Republican and a Mormon, surely we could course correct this seeming downward spiral -- and with his loss such hopes have been dashed! I get this thought process and I'm sure there's much more that I'm not understanding -- or get -- but I'm still asking myself why? Why such sadness?

I found this quote by President Ezra Taft Benson responding to the popular Mormon belief that our Constitution would hang by a thread (which it likely is), and that the Elders of Israel would basically rise to save the day. I do have a concern that some of the sadness or disappointment being felt might possibly be connected to these thoughts, some feeling that Mitt Romney was the man for the job. And FYI, this 'prophecy' known as the White Horse Prophecy, is not official doctrine of the Church.

"I have faith that the Constitution will be saved as prophesied by Joseph Smith. But it will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom. It will be saved by enlightened members of this Church -- men and women who will subscribe to and abide the principles of the Constitution" (Source: CHB 28-31)

So, according to President Benson, and I don't know what other leaders have said on this topic, but it seems to me that the answer to the Constitution problem will not be solved by one powerful person in government -- but individual members.

How that happens I can't say for sure, but I do believe that education and the preaching of the gospel will have a powerful influence on society as one-by-one individuals turn to God and choose to manage their lives according to His laws. And His laws are in harmony with the "principles of the Constitution".

As we reflect on the what now question and the where do we go from here question it begins to become more clear that the results of this election are that the gates to share the gospel have been blasted wide open and we've all got a lot of work ahead of us. And indeed it may not be too far fetched to suggest that the lowering of the missionary age requirement, prompting a significant increase in new missionary applications, was the inspired work of our beloved watchmen on the tower -- knowing full well what is ahead.

Michael Otterson, who manages Church Public Affairs, globally, just published an excellent article over at On Faith, wherein he takes a look at: What lies ahead for Mormons...

"More visibility is not necessarily the same as increased understanding. In reality, a presidential election campaign is probably the worst time to try to educate and inform, because politics by its nature is divisive and often shrill. Many people are ready to believe the worst if it comports with their political leanings. But with the heat and divisiveness of a political campaign behind us, thoughtful Mormons can now look to the possibility of having more serious discussions with others about our faith, and especially about how our theology translates into the way we live."

Isn't that a great point?Before we move on though, you should know that you're not alone in feeling sad or depressed. Pretty much everyone I know who was hoping that Romney would win the election, and not just Mormons, are feeling pretty blue right now. From what I've observed, there's a whole lot of chocolate going on! ; ) I just thought it might be helpful to acknowledge it and maybe even share some feelings.

This article illustrates the dirty campaigning that was done by Romney and his sycophants beginning in the 2008 electoral cycle when they were hoping to harm Governor Palins reputation to the point she wouldnt be a viable candidate in the future. All to pave the way for Mitt. And in 2012 these tactics were used against all the other primary candidates in order again, to pave the way for Mitt.

I don't believe Tagg Romney. I believe that Mitt not only wanted the presidency, but he believed he was foreordained by way of the mormon religion to become the "man on the White Horse". The mormon leaders had already planned ahead for a blitz campaign to convert others including Christians, because there is an attitude of "specialness" and belief that the sect in the future will rule the world fostered by the religion in its members.

Instead, Mitt Romney has given this country four more disastrous years of Barack Obama.

Not joy, teppe. Just sadness that you have to be a member of a corrupt religious cult. There is no Scripture to support the Mormon religion, especially in the prophecy area. Jesus is the way to the Father, not Mormonism nor Catholicism, or Jehovah’s Witnesses. If you really know Jesus, then you will not be involved in Mormonism.

Well, no question he used every dirty trick in the book to eliminate his rivals, including lending his own handlers to Juan McCain to undermine him and ensure that he and Sarah would lose the 2008 election.

He spent almost all his vitriol and his lies on Sarah and the Republican candidates in the 2012 primaries. Then he just lay down and let Obama have it. Seems he didn’t want it after all. He just wanted to elminate all the conservatives and semi-conservatives from the contest.

Well, never mind. He’s still Bishop Romney, and he still has his own planet coming to him, where he will be not president but god.

>> Jesus is the way to the Father, not Mormonism nor Catholicism, or Jehovahs Witnesses. If you really know Jesus, then you will not be involved in Mormonism. <<

I agree about Mormonism, but your inclusion of Catholicism is curious. Most of the Christian doctrines in use today (the definition of the trinity, that Jesus was equally God and Man, etc.) were put forth by Catholics and defended by the Catholic Church against heretics who denied them. Are you of the opinion that anyone who called themselves a Christian prior to the 1600s was not a true Christian and didn't really know Jesus?

Ex-Mormons are forbidden to post their experiences within the cult on this site?

FR mormons would certainly like to see any posts questioning mormonism forbidden, but the FR site owner has THIS opinion:

My position stands. The so-called book of Mormon is false gospel, ie, fiction. It has nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity or the Word of God. Look up false prophets in KJV. Must be a flaw (among many flaws) in my up-bringing.

93 posted on Saturday, November 10, 2012 1:32:00 PM by Jim Robinson (Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God!!)

17
posted on 12/29/2012 9:55:50 AM PST
by greyfoxx39
(Romney's gift to the country....Boehner bowing to Obama while kicking the Tea Party.)

Hey, sugar when you talk about people it is polite to ping them and oh yea, you make another charge and have yet to establish one hate-filled post.....as always you bring hate into the conversation first.

20
posted on 12/29/2012 10:13:10 AM PST
by svcw
(Why is one cell on another planet considered life, and in the womb it is not.)

bill, you might be told that Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was more of a charismatic pentecostal which is why the Catholics gave him such a hard time at first. And that if he prayed a bit more, he would have become the first Baptist.

Have to be careful when interpreting prophecy. In the Bible, the Heroic Rider on the White Horse is the Lord Jesus Christ, who rides out of Heaven when he returns, in Revelation 19.

There is another, non-heroic rider on a white horse, in Revelation 6. He, unlike the rider of Revelation 19, is earthbound. He has a bow but no arrows, and a crown, a sign of power. He rides out conquering and to conquer. This rider is the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Some interpreters, and this is my view, believe that this earthbound rider is the Antichrist.

Have to be careful when interpreting prophecy. In the Bible, the Heroic Rider on the White Horse is the Lord Jesus Christ, who rides out of Heaven when he returns, in Revelation 19.

Along with many other plagerisms, mormonism has claimed the "White Horse Prophecy" for itself. Nothing to do with the Biblical White Horse.

According to the so-called "White Horse Prophecy," the U.S. Constitution will be hanging by a thread and a church elder from Zion will ride in on a metaphorical white horse and save it.

This popular prophecy of Smith's is explained in the Encyclopedia of Mormonism:

LDS attachment to the Constitution has been further encouraged by an important oral tradition deriving from a statement attributed to Joseph Smith, according to which the Constitution would "hang by a thread" and be rescued, if at all, only with the help of the Saints. Church President John Taylor seemed to go further when he prophesied, "When the people shall have torn to shreds the Constitution of the United States the Elders of Israel will be found holding it up to the nations of the earth and proclaiming liberty and equal rights to all men" (JD 21:8). To defend the principles of the Constitution under circumstances where the "iniquity," or moral decay, of the people has torn it to shreds might well require wisdom at least equal to that of the men raised up to found it. In particular, it would require great insight into the relationship between freedom and virtue in a political embodiment of moral agency. (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.1, 1992)

As you know, we at Headquarters NEVER tell you pew warmers how to vote. It says so right in our press releases. Anyway, we were ALL thrilled to the max when there were two  TWO!  MORMONs being touted in the primaries: Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman.

Talk in our upper chambers high above SLC was how our gods were favoring us with these men; who had prepared their entire lives for an opportunity to save this Nation; which so badly needs guidance: OUR guidance even! So naturally, I and the other twelve analyzed and discussed the situation.

Consensus was that the voters should listen to the inner urging and vote for the one they wanted; but that seemed to be leaving WAY too much to chance.

Idecided, that since I am the ONLY man on earth that can hear GODs voice, that I would pray for wisdom and clarity in the matter.

I hadnt used the fleece in a while, so I questioned GOD with a test. A paper, with Romney on one side and Huntsman on the other was to be placed by the air conditioning vent high above my desk in the sumptuous office the Full Tithers have provided.

When the air would kick in later in the evening, while I was home, the paper would be blown down and whomever GOD wanted would then be visible on the upper surface.

As you can probably guess, when I came in the next day, the paper had landed on my desk, with Mitts name on top.

Last night, I was staying late, praying to GOD about how it was even possible that Mitt lost, when the janitorial cleaning crew came in. Being surprised to find me here, they apologized for interrupting me. I said to them, It mattereth not, as I was about to leave anyway.

As I was going out the door, the foreman of the crew just happened to mention that my office is ALWAYS so neat and tiny, never anything out of place, that they barely have to do anything to tidy up. Then one of the sweepers said, Except that time in the spring when we came in to clean and found a paper with Huntmans name on the floor by your desk. We put it back on your desk and left.

Tommy M.

PS Keep praying that Huntsman will add an H to his name. Jon looks so dang effeminate!

Onward to 2016!!!

35
posted on 12/29/2012 4:57:02 PM PST
by Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)

Questions put to Joseph Smith: "'Do you believe the Bible?' [Smith:]'If we do, we are the only people under heaven that does, for there are none of the religious sects of the day that do'. When asked 'Will everybody be damned, but Mormons'? [Smith replied] 'Yes, and a great portion of them, unless they repent, and work righteousness." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 119).

Joseph Smith: "for the teachers of religion of the different sects understood the same passages of scripture so differently as to destroy all confidence in settling the question by an appeal to the Bible" (from Pearl of Great Price 1:12). "What is it that inspires professors of Christianity generally with a hope of salvation? It is that smooth, sophisticated influence of the devil, by which he deceives the whole world" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.270).

Brigham Young stated this repeatedly: "When the light came to me I saw that all the so-called Christian world was grovelling in darkness" (Journal of Discourses 5:73); "The Christian world, so-called, are heathens as to the knowledge of the salvation of God" (Journal of Discourses 8:171); "With a regard to true theology, a more ignorant people never lived than the present so-called Christian world" (Journal of Discourses 8:199); "And who is there that acknowledges [God's] hand? ...You may wander east, west, north, and south, and you cannot find it in any church or government on the earth, except the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" (Journal of Discourses , vol. 6, p.24); "Should you ask why we differ from other Christians, as they are called, it is simply because they are not Christians as the New Testament defines Christianity" (Journal of Discourses 10:230).

Orson Pratt proclaimed: "Both Catholics and Protestants are nothing less than the 'whore of Babylon' whom the Lord denounces by the mouth of John the Revelator as having corrupted all the earth by their fornications and wickedness. Any person who shall be so corrupt as to receive a holy ordinance of the Gospel from the ministers of any of these apostate churches will be sent down to hell with them, unless they repent" (The Seer, p. 255).

Orson Pratt also said: "This great apostasy commenced about the close of the first century of the Christian era, and it has been waxing worse and worse from then until now" (Journal of Discourses

, vol.18, p.44) and: "But as there has been no Christian Church on the earth for a great many centuries past, until the present century, the people have lost sight of the pattern that God has given according to which the Christian Church should be established, and they have denominated a great variety of people Christian Churches, because they profess to be ...But there has been a long apostasy, during which the nations have been cursed with apostate churches in great abundance" (Journal of Discourses , 18:172).

President John Taylor stated: "Christianity...is a perfect pack of nonsense...the devil could not invent a better engine to spread his work than the Christianity of the nineteenth century." (Journal of Discourses , vol. 6, p.167); "Where shall we look for the true order or authority of God? It cannot be found in any nation of Christendom." (Journal of Discourses , 10:127).

James Talmage said: "A self-suggesting interpretation of history indicates that there has been a great departure from the way of salvation as laid down by the Savior, a universal apostasy from the Church of Christ". (A Study of the Articles of Faith, p.182).

President Joseph Fielding Smith said: "Doctrines were corrupted, authority lost, and a false order of religion took the place of the gospel of Jesus Christ, just as it had been the case in former dispensations, and the people were left in spiritual darkness." (Doctrines of Salvation, p.266). "For hundreds of years the world was wrapped in a veil of spiritual darkness, until there was not one fundamental truth belonging to the place of salvation ...Joseph Smith declared that in the year 1820 the Lord revealed to him that all the 'Christian' churches were in error, teaching for commandments the doctrines of men" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol. 3, p.282).

More recent statements by apostle Bruce McConkie are also very clear: "Apostasy was universal...And this darkness still prevails except among those who have come to a knowledge of the restored gospel" (Doctrines of Salvation, vol 3, p.265); "Thus the signs of the times include the prevailing apostate darkness in the sects of Christendom and in the religious world in general" (The Millennial Messiah, p.403); "a perverted Christianity holds sway among the so-called Christians of apostate Christendom" (Mormon Doctrine, p.132); "virtually all the millions of apostate Christendom have abased themselves before the mythical throne of a mythical Christ whom they vainly suppose to be a spirit essence who is incorporeal uncreated, immaterial and three-in-one with the Father and Holy Spirit" (Mormon Doctrine, p.269); "Gnosticism is one of the great pagan philosophies which antedated Christ and the Christian Era and which was later commingled with pure Christianity to form the apostate religion that has prevailed in the world since the early days of that era." (Mormon Doctrine, p.316).

President George Q. Cannon said: "After the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, there were only two churches upon the earth. They were known respectively as the Church of the Lamb of God and Babylon. The various organizations which are called churches throughout Christendom, though differing in their creeds and organizations, have one common origin. They all belong to Babylon" (Gospel Truth, p.324).

President Wilford Woodruff stated: "the Gospel of modern Christendom shuts up the Lord, and stops all communication with Him. I want nothing to do with such a Gospel, I would rather prefer the Gospel of the dark ages, so called" (Journal of Discourses , vol. 2, p.196).

36
posted on 12/29/2012 4:58:24 PM PST
by Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)

....there is an attitude of "specialness" and belief that the sect in the future will rule the world fostered by the religion in its members.

MORMON

ATTITUDES OF SUPERIORITY

1. Im Superior; I have a special gift of the holy Ghost -- you dont! 2. Im Superior; I have Gods true priesthood power -- you dont! 3. Im Superior; I can go in Gods secret Temple -- you cant! 4. Im Superior; Ive been Endowed with special Gifts and Knowledge -- youre just normal! 5. Im Superior; Ill have my family with me in heaven -- youll be with strangers! 6. Im Superior; Im becoming a God -- you arent! 7. Im Superior; My women know their place as servants of man and yours dont. 8. Im Superior; YOUR creeds are wrong because they come from man - mine comes from God (you can find each one printed in our Scriptures). 9. Im Superior; I dont HAVE a creed - Ive got 13 Articles of Faith. 10. I'm Superior; I have 4 "Bibles"-- the standard works (5 if you count the JST) -- you've only got one: in as far as it is translated correctly. 11. Im Superior; I can lie with impunity about such things as church membership, church growth, church doctrine, church history, church influence, etc.  -- You cant. 12. Im Superior; I am right (everybody knows) when I say 'evangelical' Christians are lunatics --

-- Youre a hideous narrow-minded bigot, who is persecuting me by practicing discrimination by saying I'm not a Christian. 13. I'm Superior; I have a testimony about a prophet -- you don't. 14. I'm Superior; I have a Scripture-producing Amos 3:7 prophet -- you don't 15. Im Superior; I have a Living Prophet who talks to god every day -- you have a dim-witted hireling of Satan who only talks to himself. 16. I'm Superior; I have my calling & election made sure -- you don't. 17. Im Superior; I have magic underwear to protect me from the bogey man -- you dont. 18. Im Superior; I have secret clasps and grips to give the angel so I get admitted to the celestial kingdom -- you dont ;so you cant. 19. I'm Superior; I know secret handshake codes for afterlife entrances-- you don't. 20. Im Superior; I will see Joseph Smith setting on the right hand of GOD, when I get to Mormon heaven, and he will recognize me and judge me favorably -- Youre on your own; when you get to wherever youre going! 21. Im Superior; Im going to hie to Kolob -- youre going to who knows where. 22. Im Superior; I get to have a harem and act like a celestial stud for time and all eternity -- you dont. 23. Im Superior; I have sun stones, moon stones, sky stones, cloud stones, Saturn stones, and the evil eye of Osirus guarding my temple

-- You have nothing but a stupid cross. 24. Im Superior; My church has billions in assets stashed away -- yours has taken a stupid vow of poverty. 25. I'm Superior; Last - we have the power to keep a whole race out of our priesthood if we wanted to reinsert our 148-year legacy (we ARE still keeping an entire GENDER at bay!)

26.I'm superior; I have the "higher law" -- everyone else "lives under the "lesser law' because I say so...(over and over).

Revision 46.5

Semi-Official creed of the EXclusive club of Freeper Flying Inmans.

All rights liable to be abused.

38
posted on 12/29/2012 5:00:57 PM PST
by Elsie
(Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)

If I understand correctly, Mormon "scripture" is always changing.....one of their elders gets a revelation, and bingo, new scripture.

It seems you may be correct in your assessment:

In conclusion let us summarize this grand key, these Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet, for our salvation depends on them.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything. 2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works. 3.The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.4. The prophet will never lead the church astray. 5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.6. The prophet does not have to say Thus Saith the Lord, to give us scripture. 7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know. 8. The prophet is not limited by mens reasoning. 9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual. 10. The prophet may advise on civic matters. 11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich. 12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly. 13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidencythe highest quorum in the Church. 14. The prophet and the presidencythe living prophet and the First Presidencyfollow them and be blessedreject them and suffer.

I testify that these fourteen fundamentals in following the living prophet are true. If we want to know how well we stand with the Lord then let us ask ourselves how well we stand with His mortal captainhow close do our lives harmonize with the Lords anointedthe living ProphetPresident of the Church, and with the Quorum of the First Presidency.

I don't believe Tagg Romney. I believe that Mitt not only wanted the presidency, but he believed he was foreordained by way of the mormon religion to become the "man on the White Horse". The mormon leaders had already planned ahead for a blitz campaign to convert others including Christians, because there is an attitude of "specialness" and belief that the sect in the future will rule the world fostered by the religion in its members. Instead, Mitt Romney has given this country four more disastrous years of Barack Obama.

The Romneys are so typical of Mormonism.

For seven years we try to figure out why this guy is OBSESSED with being president, and then the instant he loses, he declares that he didn't really want to run anyway, wasn't interested.

Seven years of single minded, uninterrupted dedication to an obsession, and 50 million dollars of his personal wealth expended, and it is all dismissed with a casual family lie.

>> you might be told that Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) was more of a charismatic pentecostal which is why the Catholics gave him such a hard time at first. And that if he prayed a bit more, he would have become the first Baptist. <<

1) Well, which it is? Charismatic Pentecostal or Baptist? Those are two very different Christian traditions. Charismatic/Pentecostal was formally organized around the early 1960s, and Baptists around 1609. If it's the former, that wouldn't be an issue, since the charismatic movement overlaps Christian denominations and is accepted within Catholicism. That St. Francis of Assini might have been a charismatic before they were formally organized didn't make him any less of a Catholic.

2) Bringing up one person doesn't address the poster's original comments, that "Catholicism" ITSELF (the faith a whole, rather than say, for example "Catholic leaders are not the way to salvation") is not the way to God the Father or Jesus. If we go by her premise, then NOBODY on earth had the "way to Jesus" until Protestants (which according to her, are the ONLY "Christians") show up in the 1600s. True, there non-Catholics around before the 1600s, such as Orthodox Christians, but presumably they "don't know Jesus" either, since they hold same beliefs that cause her to reject Catholicism.

The Azusa Street Revival was a historic Pentecostal revival meeting that took place in Los Angeles, California and is the origin of the Pentecostal movement.
It was led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher. It began with a meeting on April 14, 1906, and continued until roughly 1915.
Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century.

47
posted on 12/29/2012 6:31:51 PM PST
by svcw
(Why is one cell on another planet considered life, and in the womb it is not.)

So, today I want to pause from my normal, upbeat blogging style to acknowledge what I've been observing throughout my Mormon community since Mitt Romney's bid to become the first President of the United States failed

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